Wednesday's Movie of the Week

The Last King of Scotland
Directed by: Kevin Macdonald
Starring:
Forest Whitaker
James McAvoy
Kerry Washington

I'll admit, before the Oscars I had barely heard of of this movie, and certainly had no desire to sit down and watch it. But after seeing it for the first time, one thing is for sure, Forest Whitaker was deserving of the award for "Best Actor". I have no idea what the real Idi Amin was like, but the character portrayed in the movie is a blast to watch. He's charming enough to get on your good side, but at the same time, unpredictable enough to keep you scared.
(There is a scene or two that aren't for the squeamish, so you have been warned ahead of time.)

My Overall Rating: 4.0/5



Youtube Video Reviews for:
The Last King of Scotland

Knights Basketball Highlights Part 1

I just finished the first installment of season highlights for the 2006-2007 season. The first game up is Hollywood @ Highlands Christian (that's us). Just so everyone knows, I coach this team. I have a lot of fun making the highlight videos, and the players really enjoy them, so I'll have more games up in the near future.

Ten on Tuesday

Ten on Tuesday

10 Things I Would Do If I Were Younger
1. Swing as high as possible at recess
2. My homework
3. Be more open with my feelings
4. Don't play the sax
5. Watch cartoons, Power Rangers, and VR Troopers every day
6. Let Ryan into the clubhouse without having to pay us with popsicles and pizza
7. Keep my friends
8. Never wear shoes
9. Wrestle in the backyard
10. Enjoy playing basketball

Daily Bodog Pick

bodog.com Pick of the Day
Monday, February 26
NBA Basketball: Miami Heat (+3.5) @ New York Knicks
7:35 PM ET

This pick may be a little risky, with Miami's ancient roster going into the 2nd day of a back to back. Include the travel from Miami to New York, and you may think I'm crazy. However, Miami's veteran players are playing with a purpose, now that Dwyane Wade is out (that purpose being to prove they're not completely washed up). Kapono and Williams struggled from the floor against Cleveland, and they still managed to squeak out a win. I expect their defensive effort to be lacking from what it was against the Cavs, but also expect a better offensive performance.


Overall Record Against the Spread (3-2)

This blog post will be home to my bodog.com daily picks. It will be edited daily with an updated pick and record of previous selections.

Picks not endorsed by bodog.com.
Use at your own risk.
You are fully responsible for any wagers made on the advice of these picks.

Dreams? If You Don't Sleep On 'em

I was at the small college recruiting fair today. It was at Coral Springs High, here in South Florida. So many people (especially athletes) are told how impossible it is for their dreams to become a reality. Whenever I attend this event, I'm reminded how wrong those people are.

Average athletes are getting full scholarship offers to play football across the U.S. The majority of these players never even dreamed they would have an opportunity to play college football, let alone attend college for free because of it.

If the situation is right, then dreams can become reality. Tons of people exceed their highest expectations, and it happens every day. It could be you.

Featured Picture: Charles Husey
Highlands Christian

Mayweather/De La Hoya - Press Tour - Miami

I headed down to Bayside today for the Mayweather/De La Hoya press conference. There was a good turnout and the crowd was spirited. There was a little trash talking, pretty much the usual boxing press event. The crowd was pretty much split 50/50 in who they were supporting. All the Latin fans were 100% behind Oscar (as expected), while the majority of the other fans were supporting Floyd. I snapped a few pics and took some video while I was there, you can view a few more on My Flickr Page.

Anna Nicole Trial - Thoughts

The fact that this "trial" (and I put that in quotations, because so far it's been more like a circus) is taking place just up the road is very fitting. I've always felt like us South Floridians are more concerned with trivial things (such as this trial), than we are with important life changing events. But, this trial has opened my eyes.

All of America is just like us. The fact that a trial over Anna Nicole Smith's body is getting 24/7 TV coverage may be a little disturbing to some. I know Bill Maher had some harsh words about the news outlets that are covering this "freak show".

I'm not going to rant on about how out of touch we are with the world, and how out of touch we are with "real" news. On the contrary, I'm going to give my voice of approval to the whole thing. Sure, America is wrapped up in a trial over a drug addicted, porn star's dead body. So what? That's what makes America what it is. The rest of the world represents the mid 30's, married couple, with two kids. While the good ol' U.S.A. is just like a 7th grade school girl gossiping on the phone until 3 A.M.

But, in the end, who do you think has more fun? The 7th grade gossiper or the 35 year working in that cubicle? So, maybe we're not as messed up as the rest of the world thinks we are. Or, in fact, maybe we're just too messed up too realize it. Either way, we feel good about ourselves.

Miami Heat - There Goes the Season?

All Signs point towards a dislocated shoulder for Heat Guard, Dwyane Wade. So, scalp your tickets and start planning for next year right? Not so fast! If you follow the Heat regularly, you know all about Wade's resiliency (and his overselling of an injury at times). There's no way around it, Dwyane will miss significant time with this injury. But, if the Heat can just stick around at .500, and Wade can make it back with about 10-15 games left in the regular season, all hope is not lost. Wade hasn't had significant time in the last 2 seasons (due to playing with Team USA), and in the wacky world of the Miami Heat, maybe this rest is just what the doctor ordered. In a season where seemingly everyone involved with the team (from players, right on up to the head coach) has sat out with relatively serious injuries, it's only fitting that Wade's dislocated shoulder be the last piece of the puzzle. So, Wade rests up and the Heat make another run to the title, right? Well, We'll see.

Movie of the Week

February 19-25
The Prestige
Directed by: Christopher Nolan
Starring:
Hugh Jackman
Christian Bale
Michael Caine
Scarlett Johansson

Overall, one of the best movies I've seen in a long, long time. The last quarter is filled with twists and turns. Cinematography is excellent, the storyline is unique, and the mood is captured in a way other films can only hope to duplicate. If you didn't see this in the theater, be sure to check it out on DVD (just released Tuesday).

Ovarall Rating: 4.5/5

Video Reviews of The Prestige

SoFla Hoops

Regional Semi's
Tonight's Highlights

Berean Chr. 67
Horeb Chr. 59
- After upsetting the #2 ranked team in Class 1A, Horeb is defeated by Berean Chr. Berean will now play @ Grandview Prep in the regional Final. Grandview Prep. won the regular season matchup by 2 points in OT.

Coral Springs Chr. 60
Palmer Trinity 44
- Coral Springs Christian advances to their first ever regional final. They will host the #2 ranked team in Class 2A, Summit Christian (27-2) on Saturday night. Coral Springs is known to have an intense crowd, and this should make for an exciting game.

Pine Crest 64
Gulliver Prep 43
- With their 2nd and 3rd options missing the 2nd half of the season due to injury, Freshman, Brandon Knight has led the Panthers to the regional final. Pine Crest will host LaSalle (21-7) on Saturday.

Cardinal Gibbons 70
Cocoa 64
- Cocoa (25-3) was the favorite to advance out of this region, but the Redskins had different plans. Cardinal Gibbons (24-5) will now travel to Miami Pace (25-5) on Saturday. This matchup of #3 (Pace) vs. #9 (Gibbons) will surely be one of the biggest games in South Florida all year. The atmosphere at a Pace home game is unmatched by any other South Florida high school.

Ely 92
Palm Beach Lakes 72
- Yet another high scoring victory for the Tigers. Ely, ranked #2 in Class 6A will now host their district rivals, Boyd Anderson. Ely is led by Sophomore guard, Kenny Boynton Jr., one of the top Sophomore prospects in America.